USMEF: February Pork and Beef Exports Below Year-Ago

February exports of U.S. pork were moderately lower than a year ago, despite continued success in Mexico and Central America, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). February 2025 beef exports were also below last year after trending higher in January.

USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom notes Latin America showed continued strong demand for U.S. pork while stalled beef facility registrations by China started to impact beef export numbers.

February pork exports totaled 241,179 metric tons (mt), down 4% from the large year-ago volume, while value fell 2% to $671.5 million. Exports soared to Central America in February and export value to Mexico exceeded $200 million for the eighth consecutive month. Shipments also increased to the Philippines, New Zealand and Cuba, but were significantly lower to Japan and South Korea. For the first two months of 2025, pork exports were 3% below last year’s record pace at 485,144 mt, with value down 2% to $1.34 billion.

In February and March of this year, many U.S. pork, beef and poultry plants and cold storage facilities were due for a five-year eligibility renewal by China’s General Administration of Customs (GACC). Pork and poultry plants were renewed on the March 16 expiration date, but GACC still has not renewed the eligibility of any U.S. beef establishments, and the majority of U.S. beef production is now ineligible for China.

Beef exports totaled 98,198 mt in February, down 5.5% from a year ago, while value declined 4% to just over $800 million. February exports increased year-over year to South Korea, Canada, Egypt and the Philippines, and reached the highest value on record to Panama. Shipments were lower to Japan, China/Hong Kong and Mexico, though beef variety meat exports to Mexico increased. January-February shipments were 1% below last year’s pace at 201,038 mt, but value increased 1% to $1.6 billion.

China also announced additional retaliatory duties of 34%, to take effect April 10. This will create further obstacles for U.S. pork and beef exports to China. New U.S. tariffs have also created uncertainty for buyers of U.S. red meat in other destinations where retaliation could impact market access and prices.

Full details on the February export results are available on the USMEF website.